Climate change

IImproving your home’s energy efficiency is the best way to reduce your energy bills, make your home comfier, and help combat climate change.

To make retrofit measures such as renewables or insulation more affordable, Waltham Forest Council is offering its 0% interest Energy Upgrade Loan for the second time running.

The *new extended* deadline for this year’s Energy Upgrade Loan is 27 June 2025.

Start your application now. 

View our FAQs or watch our Q&A webinar recording.

Waltham Forest Council is offering an interest free loan to eligible owner-occupiers and landlords in Waltham Forest Council areas with energy rating (EPC) of D or lower to help with the cost of installing: 

• energy efficiency improvements, e.g. roof and loft insulation, wall insulation, floor insulation, windows and doors, double and triple glazing;
• low and zero emission heating, e.g. air source and ground source heat pumps and;
• renewables energy, e.g. solar PV, solar thermal;
• heat storage, e.g. electric or heat battery.

You can combine funding for energy efficiency improvements, low and zero emission heat and other renewable technologies, for example the £7,500 offered by the government through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The minimum funding you can apply for under the scheme is £2,000 and the maximum funding is £20,000. 

The loan funding covers up to 100% of the installation cost of your improvement.

We are working with the Energy Saving Trust to offer the Energy Upgrade Loan to encourage residents and landlords to make energy-efficient improvements.

Complete the short application form to apply.

Please read the terms and conditions for full eligibility criteria. 

To receive funding, you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and all the improvements you are applying for have been recommended in either an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or a Homewise Report.

1. Energy performance certificates (EPCs)  

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are issued by accredited Domestic Energy Assessors. To check whether a property already has an EPC or to search for an accredited assessor, visit www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate   

If your energy performance certificate (EPC) is more than 5 years old, you'll need to obtain a new one upon application. However, if your EPC is less than 5 years old, you won't require a new one until you submit a claim. 

If you are successful in obtaining a loan, you can use your loan to pay for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) that are required as supporting evidence for your application. The funding available is up to a maximum of £150 per EPC. 

2. Energy Saving Trust Homewise report

To view recommended energy upgrade measures, complete a short assessment through the Energy Saving Trust online tool Homewise.